China woos Hun Sen at Beijing dinner

The Communist Party of China has again publicly announced its strong support for the ruling CPP.

The comments were made at a dinner on Wednesday night in Beijing, attended by Prime Minister Hun Sen and Song Tao, head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC.

A report on Fresh News said Mr Song pledged to support the CPP’s efforts to lead peaceful and prosperous development in the country.

Mr Song added that increasing ties with Cambodia would expand opportunities to further strengthen social and economic development between the countries, saying that Cambodia will develop remarkably in the near future.

“The top leaders of the CPC Central Committee will serve as a strong backup for Prime Minister Hun Sen and the CPP to continue to lead the government of Cambodia for a long time,” he said.

In response, Mr Hun Sen said: “China’s support not only contributes to the promotion of national economic growth, but also to strengthening Cambodia’s independence and international prominence.”

Mr Hun Sen is in Beijing for the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting, which began yesterday and runs until December 13.

The theme of the conference is “Working Together Towards a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity and a Better World: Responsibilities of Political Parties”.

San Chey, executive director of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability Cambodia, said China is seeking to help the government overcome current political tensions, since Cambodia supported China in conflicts in the South China Sea.

Wang Jiarui, vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, in September visited Cambodia and backed the government’s arrest of former opposition leader Kem Sokha on treason charges.

Later that month, Cambodia and China agreed to set up a think-tank charged with studying and preventing colour revolutions.

The announcement was made after Mr Hun Sen returned from the 14th China-Asean Expo in Guangxi province.

China is currently the biggest foreign investor in Cambodia, with investments valued at $16.2 billion as of August.

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